Overview

*Application Deadline has now been extended to March 30, 2010.

Thousands of students graduate college each year but have little direction of what to do next in life. Surprisingly, few graduates are equipped with the skills and confidence that will empower them to achieve their goals or adapt successfully into a professional career.

Leadership training is an extremely valuable tool for developing such skills across any and all disciplines, and leadership is considered one of the most broadly needed skills among recent graduates and professionals. In today’s world, there is significant demand for a new generation of leaders who can bring about positive change in local, national, and international affairs.

This AustraLearn short course emphasizes leadership, personal development, and team building. Students already practicing leadership skills and those who might not otherwise see themselves as leaders or as team players will both realize their ability to develop in these areas. You will also come away with a sense of accomplishment and pride after your experience. The Outdoor Pursuits portion of the program encourages students to bond together, trust one another, and learn how to work as a team.

Read about the experiences from this past June's group of Challenge New Zealand students on the GlobaLinks Newswire: http://globalinksnewswire.com/?p=1013.

Video Feature

Integrating Leadership Skills through Teamwork at the Outdoor Pursuits Centre

Location

New Zealand is one of the most unique and awe-inspiring countries in the world. Its majestic beauty and give-it-a-go attitude will serve as an ideal setting for self-exploration and discovery. Its scenery sets it apart from the rest of the planet, while its people have a reputation for friendliness, strength, and independence. New Zealand has a population of only four million and is similar in size to the United Kingdom or California. It is considered a safe and comfortable destination for international students and visitors.

New Zealanders are inherently interested in the world and other people, as well as the outdoors and environment, providing a strong example for global citizenship and adventure.  The program takes place entirely on the North Island of New Zealand, taking advantage of the rich Maori culture, outdoor beauty, heritage and cultural sites, the capital of Wellington and the major city of Auckland.  The North Island represents rich diversity in scenery, lifestyle, and culture.

Academic Focus

Course Objectives

The Challenge New Zealand course includes group activities, service learning, cultural integration, discussions with community and business leaders, and a five-day program of outdoor, physical challenges.  As a result of these experiences students will gain the ability to:

• Develop their own individual Leadership Mission through a critical examination of personal values, interests, goals and role models
• Identify their personal leadership style and utilize it effectively
• Recognize and embrace the value of leadership styles different than their own
• Appreciate the value of service as an integral element of successful leadership
• Contribute effectively in group decision-making
• Gain decision-making abilities and self confidence critical to effective leadership
• Become empowered to act as a leader within their community or workplace
• Understand the importance of leadership on a global scale, and the role of the US within that global community

Course Structure

The group will begin to explore New Zealand culture through a Program Introduction upon arrival in Auckland, followed by activities such as luging, the Agrodome, Maori village dinner show, learning the “Haka,” and through lectures to further build new cultural knowledge of New Zealand and leadership insights.

Guest speakers and lectures focusing on leadership training and cultural leadership elements, along with experiential and teambuilding opportunities highlight the time in Rotorua, New Zealand’s top tourist attraction location.

The program kicks into high gear in one of the world’s most beautiful mountain environments at the Sir Edmund Hilary Outdoor Pursuits Centre (OPC) located in Turangi (Lake Taupo). Students will work together in groups, through challenging and fun outdoor adventure programs that may include ropes courses, hiking, backpacking, rock climbing, water activities, mountaineering and an overnight camp-out.

The program concludes in Wellington, New Zealand’s vibrant capital city, with activities that will bring your leadership experience full circle, including: lectures from various local business and government leaders, a volunteer service project with a local school, group tours to the fantastic Te Papa Museum and New Zealand House of Parliament, as well some free time to explore this hub of New Zealand art and culture.

Assessment

Students will participate in online discussions and/or assignments prior to departure. While in New Zealand, students will keep a reflective journal and work towards a final paper due at the end or after the course concludes.

Credit

The Sir Edmund Hillary Outdoor Pursuits Centre

The Sir Edmund Hillary Outdoor Pursuits Centre of New Zealand (OPC) was established in 1973 to provide outdoor pursuits training for young New Zealanders. Its focus is the use of the outdoors as a medium for exploring leadership theory, skills, and issues.

The course objectives are to equip participants with the knowledge and practical skills to deal effectively with others and to be able to recognize and assume leadership styles necessary to assist in their development. The Centre offers secondary school programs, adult industry/corporate training programs, small group adventure weekends, and navigation workshops. Programs interact with the New Zealand environment through activities such as kayaking, rock climbing, hiking, and ropes courses.

With qualified staff, the Centre delivers sessions on topics such as leadership style, communication skills, and personality profiles leading the participant to their own personal investigation of leadership with a focus on career planning or lifestyle balance. Each activity has a goal behind it that is either solved as a group or individual. Personal risk assessment, goal setting, and motivation are the cornerstones each day that participants challenge themselves through the activities presented in the program.

Fully catered on-site facilities are available to groups such as the AustraLearn Leadership Program, and students will be instructed on what to bring with them on the program to make their outdoor adventures exciting and achievable. 24-hour staff are on site as well as a group manager during the entire program including the outdoor pursuit program at the Sir Edmund Hillary Centre of New Zealand.

Video Feature

The Outdoor Pursuits Centre of New Zealand: Team Building & Leadership Development 

Program Highlights

• Admire the pristine, breathtaking scenery of New Zealand’s North Island 
• Build upon leadership skills through immersion in one of the world’s most innovative, culturally-diverse and beautiful countries
• Five-day outdoor recreation program builds leadership insights and expertise through experiential education in the breathtaking Tongariro Mountains
• New Zealand speakers, a volunteer service project and local tours to key attractions you an immersion into the unique Maori culture and Kiwi way of life
• Experience personal transformation and self-awareness as you work together with a group of like-minded students from throughout North America

Who Should Apply

Open to students of all majors who have completed at least one year of full-time university study. May be of particular interest to those studying sociology, history, cultural studies, anthropology, or related areas.

Video Feature

AustraLearn Students Performing the Traditional Maori Haka Dance

January 2010 

Accommodations

During the Challenge New Zealand: Leadership Development program students will stay in a variety of accommodations based on the location of the course. Students will spend 5 days at OPC in the heart of the New Zealand outdoors. Students will be housed on the OPC campus in dormitory style housing with shared kitchen and bathroom facilities. Students will be provided a unique family style dining experience, which will bring the group and leaders together.

During the Auckland, Rotorua and Wellington portions of the program, students will be housed in shared bedrooms in hotels and hostels with shared bathroom facilities.  

You can feel certain that your housing will be safe, secure, and clean, and that you will be satisfied with your short course program choice.

Travel: Group Flights

AustraLearn works together with STA Travel's group ticket office to arrange group flights for all short course students. This insures that students can travel as a cohesive group to the program destination. Airfare is not included in program fees and payment of airfare is the responsibility of the student, however AustraLearn seeks the lowest possible student rate before reserving seats for participants to purchase, while still maintaining the flexibility that allows students to explore the country or surrounding countries at the conclusion of their short term program.  

Flexible Return Date

Additionally, group flights have a flexible return date. Students may choose their own return date to allow for personal travel after the conclusion of the program. Many students choose to extend their time overseas and travel independently after the program's end. We can provide you with useful travel resources and advice, as well as refer you to travel opportunities that can be pre-booked.

Scholarships Available

Featured Scholarships For All AustraLearn Students

Participants of AustraLearn programs are eligible for scholarships through The Foundation for Asia Pacific Education. More information about these awards can be found at www.asia-pacificfoundation.org/.


Participants of AustraLearn programs are also eligible for the DiversityAbroad.com's Study Abroad Scholarship. Find more information and apply for this award at http://www.diversityabroad.com/scholarships.

Other General Study Abroad Scholarships

Fees

Fee Includes

Program Fees are in U.S. dollars. Program fees include tuition, lectures, transportation throughout the North Island, accommodation, some meals (daily breakfast, all meals at the Outdoor Pursuit Center, and some lunches and dinners on the rest of the program), excursions, transcript, health insurance, ISIC Basic Card, all outdoor pursuits activities and field trips. Fees include all pre-trip services such as: orientation materials, visa assistance, housing placements, personal advising, liaise with your home university, credit transfer assistance, and financial aid services.

**International airfare into Auckland and out of Wellington, some meals and personal expenses and excursions are not included in program fees.

Fee Semester

Dates

Entry Requirements

AustraLearn Coordinator

Name: Kimberly Tibbetts Title: Manager, Short Term Programs Department: Short Courses and Specialty Programs BIO: Kimberly is the Manager of Short Term Programs at AustraLearn. Kimberly works with all Short Term Program Participants. Kimberly graduated with a BA in History from the University of Colorado-Boulder. While studying at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, New Zealand, Kimberly discovered a love for travel and international education. She has traveled extensively throughout New Zealand and hopes to see more of Australia and Europe. She is very excited about spreading her passion for education and travel.